Now
22°C · Partly cloudy
Today
22° / 11°
Rain, 7 days
16 mm
Season
Fall · frost in ~34 d
Foraging around Spokane
AI field guide · refreshed weeklySpokane Foraging: Early Fall Harvest
In season now
Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
Where: Dry ponderosa pine forests, shrublands, and disturbed areas throughout Spokane County.
Waxy blue-black berries ripen now; tart, edible fresh or dried for tea and jams. Crush berries to release seeds; eat whole or strain for juice.
Look-alikes: Barberry (Berberis) has similar berries but is less common locally; Oregon grape has distinctive compound leaves with spiny leaflets, barberry has simple leaves.
Caution: Leaves and roots contain berberine (bitter); use only ripe berries for food.
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)
Where: Riparian zones, canyon bottoms, and mixed shrublands along Spokane River and tributaries.
Dark purple-black drupes are ready now; astringent raw but excellent for jams, syrups, and pemmican. Pit contains cyanogenic compounds; remove pits before processing.
Look-alikes: Black cherry (Prunus serotina) has similar fruit but is rare here; chokecherry has smaller, more densely clustered fruits and narrower leaves.
Caution: Never consume pits or leaves; only ripe fruit flesh is safe.
Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis, M. longifolia)
Where: Moist areas near streams, seeps, and disturbed ground throughout the region.
Leaves are aromatic and ready for harvest; use fresh or dried for tea, culinary flavoring, and digestive aid. Pinch stems to release scent for positive ID.
Look-alikes: Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is similar but has heart-shaped leaves and a distinct musty scent; true mints have square stems and opposite leaves.
Caution: Mint spreads aggressively; harvest sustainably from public land only.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Where: Dry slopes, canyon rims, and open ponderosa pine forest throughout Spokane County.
Purple-black berries ripen now; sweet and mild, eaten fresh or dried. High in antioxidants; no processing needed.
Look-alikes: Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier) is the same genus and equally edible; no dangerous look-alikes.
Caution: None; serviceberry is safe and abundant.
Currants & Gooseberries (Ribes spp.)
Where: Moist draws, streamside thickets, and mixed shrublands; common near Spokane River and Latah Creek.
Red, black, or golden berries ripen now depending on species; tart and sweet, eaten fresh or cooked. Ribes cereum (wax currant) and R. lacustre (prickly currant) are common.
Look-alikes: No dangerous look-alikes; all Ribes berries are edible.
Caution: Some Ribes species are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust; never harvest near whitebark or limber pines.
Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)
Where: Moist, shaded areas and seeps in canyons and riparian zones; emerging now as temperatures cool.
Round leaves with central perforation; mild, tender, and ready for salads. Harvest young leaves before flowering; entire plant is edible.
Look-alikes: No dangerous look-alikes; distinctive round perfoliate leaves are diagnostic.
Caution: Ensure water source is clean; avoid areas with livestock or septic runoff.
Coming soon
Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii, C. monogyna)
Red to dark berries ripen late September through October; tart, mealy, and excellent for jams and medicinal tea. Flowers and leaves are also edible.
Caution: Thorns are sharp; wear gloves and long sleeves.
Rose Hips (Rosa spp.)
Bright red hips peak in October after frost; high in vitamin C for tea and syrups. Remove seeds and hairs before use.
Caution: Seed hairs cause irritation; strain carefully.
Mushrooms (Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, others)
Fall fruiting begins mid-September; porcini and chanterelles are prized. Positive ID is essential—never eat unidentified mushrooms.
Caution: Deadly species (Amanita phalloides, A. muscaria) occur in Spokane; consult a local mycological society before harvesting.
Safety in this area
- Ticks (especially Dermacentor andersoni, Rocky Mountain wood tick) are active through fall; check skin and clothing after foraging in shrublands and dry forests. Tick-borne illnesses (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever) occur in eastern Washington.
- Poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii) grows in riparian zones and disturbed areas; three leaflets, glossy or dull, turning red-orange now. Avoid skin contact and never burn.
- Private land: Much of Spokane County is privately owned. Forage only on public land (national forest, state land, parks) or with explicit permission. Trespassing is illegal.
- Bears (black bears) are present in forested areas east and north of Spokane; make noise while foraging, avoid dawn/dusk, and never leave food unattended.
Foraging information is educational. Confirm every identification with a regional field guide or expert before eating anything wild.
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